9 Dishes That Complete the Filipino Holiday Feast

9 Dishes That Complete the Filipino Holiday Feast

It’s a given – Filipinos take feasts seriously. The feasts we eat during Noche Buena and Media Noche undoubtedly make our holiday experience more unforgettable. Our handa, as Filipinos call it, contributes to the quality of dining we share with our family. It is the food that we partake that enriches the conversations with laughter, storytelling, and warmth.

Philippines has the longest Christmas in the world. Even after a week of the festivities, it’s most likely that your household still has some of these dishes left in your fridge. Here are the top dishes that you can’t have missed this season!

1. Christmas Ham

Filipino-style ham is usually the star of the feast. In a common Filipino household, people bake or fry ready-to-cook ham that is cured and glazed in a sweet pineapple-fused sauce.

4. Queso de Bola

You can never have enough queso de bola during the holidays. This ball of cheese is a firm yellow Dutch cheese with a slightly salty taste and is usually used as a topping on ensaymada and Pinoy-style spaghetti.

5. Macaroni Salad

The Filipino-style macaroni salad is always in the picture during special occasions in the Philippines. It is made from elbow-macaroni that is mixed with sweet creamy mayonnaise, bits of cheese, slices of chicken and minced carrots. This salad makes a good appetizer that even kids will love.